Mastering & Creating Your Last Mix Like the Pros (Mastering Process).

The mastering procedure enables you to carry out final modifications after you have mixed your multitrack recordings down to two stereo tracks (we'll leave quad and 5.1 surround-sound scenarios for another day.) Some adjustments are made to improve a particular tune's sonic quality. Others are made within the context of an album - guaranteeing that numerous songs strung together have a comparable sonic "consistency." Normal locations of issue for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one tune to the next, and spacing in between tunes. Equalization: In some cases you'll want to adjust the eq or compression on a mix after you have actually done the last mix. Or you might have ten songs blended by 3 various engineers in five different studios.

Each song's eq may appear perfect by itself, however if you sequence them together, unexpectedly one song sounds too bright (or too dull ...). Idea # 1: remember that any eq modifications to your stereo mix affect the entire mix - if you want to cut 3 db at 80Hz due to the fact that your mix sounds muddy, remember to examine how that impacts all the instruments (e.g. the vocal), not just the bass guitar and kick drum. Compression: In mastering, this is utilized not just to manage a mix or to add character, however also to "print" or send out as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

Spacing & Crossfading.

Spacing: there are different philosophies as to how one must approach the spaces put in between tunes on a record. Some feel the downbeat of one tune must fall at the start of a new bar, in the tempo of the previous tune (to continue the flow.) Others think you should prevent this like the plague, due to the fact that it diminishes the effect. In the end, do whatever feels right. There is no requirement. Cross-fade your songs if you like, or location six seconds between them. (2-4 seconds prevails in a lot of popular, non-classical records, however it's up to you.) Final pointer: you may be inclined to master the very same recordings that you combined, whether it is for financial factors, imaginative reasons, or simply because you can. We strongly recommend that you get someone else to master your job. The neutrality and fresh ears they bring to the table inevitably lead to a stronger, more cohesive album.


Common locations of concern for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one song to the next, and spacing in between tunes. Or you may have ten tunes blended by three different engineers in 5 various studios.

Each song's eq may appear best by itself, but if you sequence them together, all of a sudden one tune sounds too bright (or too dull ...). Suggestion # 1: keep in mind that any eq modifications to your stereo mix affect the whole mix - if you want to cut 3 db at Free Type Beat Hip Hop 80Hz due to the fact that your mix sounds muddy, keep in mind to check how that affects all the instruments (e.g. the vocal), not simply the bass guitar and kick drum. Compression: In mastering, this is utilized not just to control a mix or to add character, however likewise to "print" or send as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

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